Bangladeshi businessmen concerned over kidnappings

Businessmen in the south-easternBangladeshi city of Chittagong have expressed concern over the rising number of kidnappings of businessmen and their families.

Police say that more than fifteen people have been held for ransom in the last year.

Business leaders believe that the kidnappings are being carried out by student activists expelled from political parties.

But there have also been suggestions that the police could be involved -- they deny the allegations.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service